Egypt warns U.S. against Trump’s proposal for Gaza, citing peace treaty risks

In private meetings, Egyptian officials strongly opposed U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan to facilitate the development of what he called a “Riviera in the Middle East” owned by the United States.  According to the Associated Press, Egyptian officials warned that such a plan could jeopardize the historic 1979 peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has not publicly addressed Trump’s latest proposal but he said he firmly rejected any forced displacement of Gazans last week.

Officials, who spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity, said Egypt’s position regarding the risks to Egypt’s peace agreement with Israel, has been communicated to the Pentagon, the U.S. State Department, and members of Congress. Additionally, Egypt has reportedly shared its stance with key U.S. allies, including Germany, France, and the UK.

A Western diplomat interviewed by AP emphasized that Egypt was very serious and views Trump’s plan as a national security threat.

Meanwhile, Israel, which has expressed support for Trump’s idea is reportedly drafting plans for Palestinians who choose to leave voluntarily. Israel’s far-right leaders have long envisioned establishing Jewish settlements in Gaza.

The mass forced displacement of a population is widely regarded as ethnic cleansing and is classified as both a war crime and a crime against humanity under international law.